Service Dog

[Etcetera]

Didn't know where to put this, but I need some insight here.

It's not an unknown fact that I have a lot of health issues, and I am very open about it. One of my disabilities is epilepsy. Right now, I average 20 seizures a day, sometimes more. They are not all the big seizures (tonic-clonic) that everyone thinks of when they hear the word seizure. Some of them are smaller ones that not everyone notices, but can be very dangerous for me. Today I have had over 30, ended up coming home from school early. Despite being on the highest dosage possible of my medicines, I still am not seizure free and never have been.

Probably six months ago, I began looking into a service dog. I think it would help me to be more independent, and not have to depend on others for everything.

Epilepsy service dogs can not only be trained to take care of their owner during a seizure, but can also be trained to sense an oncoming seizure and give a warning that it is about to happen.

So, I gathered a bunch of information up and talked to my mom about it. She immediately shot me down and told me that she thought it was foolish for me to even consider getting a service dog. But, I can't fill out the papers myself until I am 18. I have to have a parent signature if I am under 18. I don't turn 18 until July. Anytime anyone mentions it my parents roll their eyes and they make comments a lot about how I "think" I need one and that I really don't.

Anyone else think I should do it? Or do you agree with my mom and think that I am 'over-reacting' in sorts?

[Living For Love]

If you think your life would be better with a service dog, then it would be nice if you actually could own one. Try to insist a bit more on this issue with your parents, or maybe take your parents to the place where the dogs can be acquired so that they can be informed that it would be the best decision if you bought one. If nothing of this works, try to make it through until you are 18...

[Tarannosaurus]

I agree with Tiago, I think it could be a good idea if your medications aren't working. Parents don't like it when problems get out of their control, and they tend to dismiss them which doesn't actually help. Try to get a doctor on your side to explain it to your parents and they might be more willing to let you have a service dog.

[ksdnfkfr]

I think its a great idea. I mean animals are great therapy all around anyways.
Especially one trained for special needs.
Ive had getting an autism service dog suggested to me and have been thinking about it.

[Etcetera]

If you think your life would be better with a service dog, then it would be nice if you actually could own one. Try to insist a bit more on this issue with your parents, or maybe take your parents to the place where the dogs can be acquired so that they can be informed that it would be the best decision if you bought one. If nothing of this works, try to make it through until you are 18...

I just think it would make me more independent and not have to rely on everyone else for everything. I am very limited because of my disabilities.

I agree with Tiago, I think it could be a good idea if your medications aren't working. Parents don't like it when problems get out of their control, and they tend to dismiss them which doesn't actually help. Try to get a doctor on your side to explain it to your parents and they might be more willing to let you have a service dog.

I am currently on 2 different medicines. Over time I develop more and more kinds of seizures, and the medicines I am on are only for two of the types but none of the medicines worked.

I think its a great idea. I mean animals are great therapy all around anyways.
Especially one trained for special needs.
Ive had getting an autism service dog suggested to me and have been thinking about it.

My mom used the excuse that I am allergic to pet danger. But they have hypoallergenic dogs for people with allergies.

You should get one.


I may have to wait until I am 18 to get it. But I have to have someone go with me, and someone has to help me fund-raise for it as well.

[ksdnfkfr]

I just think it would make me more independent and not have to rely on everyone else for everything. I am very limited because of my disabilities.

Yes, exactly more independence for you and less dependence on others.
And yeah, looks you will probably have to wait until 18 from the sound of things.

[AlexOnToast]

I wish my disability qualified me for a service dog :( And if you feel it would help, then I really hope you can get one :) best of luck :)

[Tarannosaurus]

I am currently on 2 different medicines. Over time I develop more and more kinds of seizures, and the medicines I am on are only for two of the types but none of the medicines worked.

Is it that your body keeps getting used to the medicines? A friend is having that problem, nothing works because her body gets used to the medicine too quickly and she's become incredibly photosensitive. If it's not that long until you turn eighteen it might be less hassle to wait. It sounds pretty bad though, do you think your doctor would be willing to help convince your parents?

[Etcetera]

Is it that your body keeps getting used to the medicines? A friend is having that problem, nothing works because her body gets used to the medicine too quickly and she's become incredibly photosensitive. If it's not that long until you turn eighteen it might be less hassle to wait. It sounds pretty bad though, do you think your doctor would be willing to help convince your parents?

I think that's what's going on. I think my body is building up an immunity to the medicines. I've been on these for four years now, so that's definitely a possibility.

I'm not really a big fan of my neurologist to be honest. We've only been going to him for a little over a year, because the first neurologist I went to was an idiot. But this one, I really don't know how to take him. He has a weird personality and I feel like when I talk to him he's talking down to me and it's frustrating because I don't know how to explain stuff. I've only ever been to him like three times now. So really, I don't even know if he would be supportive of the service dog idea either.

After I turn 18 I was planning to find me a new neurologist. Because to get the dog anyways, I would have to have the neurologist sign something.. and I really don't know if this doctor will be supportive of it. He's weird. Really hard to read. He wouldn't even switch my medicine, so I don't know. But I do know it's not helping me considering how many seizures I have every day.

[Tarannosaurus]

I think that's what's going on. I think my body is building up an immunity to the medicines. I've been on these for four years now, so that's definitely a possibility.

I'm not really a big fan of my neurologist to be honest. We've only been going to him for a little over a year, because the first neurologist I went to was an idiot. But this one, I really don't know how to take him. He has a weird personality and I feel like when I talk to him he's talking down to me and it's frustrating because I don't know how to explain stuff. I've only ever been to him like three times now. So really, I don't even know if he would be supportive of the service dog idea either.

After I turn 18 I was planning to find me a new neurologist. Because to get the dog anyways, I would have to have the neurologist sign something.. and I really don't know if this doctor will be supportive of it. He's weird. Really hard to read. He wouldn't even switch my medicine, so I don't know. But I do know it's not helping me considering how many seizures I have every day.

Looking for a new neurologist sounds like a good plan. Your neurologist should at least be giving you reasons as to why he won't switch your medicine. I hope it works out for you :hug:

[Etcetera]

Looking for a new neurologist sounds like a good plan. Your neurologist should at least be giving you reasons as to why he won't switch your medicine. I hope it works out for you :hug:

Yeah, he's just a very weird dude. Don't get me wrong, he's a million times better than my first neurologist, but I feel afraid or nervous to talk to him because he's so hard to read.

[Celtics]

animals are great, I don't know you so I dont know if you have tried this or can try this but marijuana has helped with seizures. (legally ofcourse) I read about this girl that has the same health issue you have and she is down to 1-5 a week which is amazing.

[Living For Love]

Please don't bump old threads. :locked: